Most two person games are finite; for example, chess has rules that don't allow an infinite game, and tic-tac-toe obviously ends after at most 9 plays.

Let's define a new two person game: the "Metagame". The first player first picks any two person finite game (e.g., chess or tic-tac-toe). Then, the second player sets up the board (or whatever is needed) and makes the first move in that game, and the Metagame winner will be whoever wins that game.

The question: is Metagame finite or infinite?

Obviously "Metagame" must be finite, since the first player can only pick finite games... but could he then pick "Metagame" as his choice, and then the second player also pick "Metagame", creating a infinite loop?

Posted by Federico Kereki on 2005-04-12 20:47:31